HISTORY

8 Athletes Who Competed in the First Modern Olympics

On April 6, 1896—120 years ago today—the first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece.

25 Things You Should Know About Austin

A few facts about how residents are keeping Texas' capital city weird.

25 Things You Should Know About Hoboken

4. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and John Jay all belonged to the Hoboken Turtle Club.

The U.S.S. Akron: One of the Worst Airship Disasters in U.S. History

The Hindenburg disaster is often called the most devastating loss of life during the zeppelin era, but the Hindenburg wasn’t the worst airship accident.

Ancient Horse Poop May ID Site of Hannibal's Passage Over the Alps

Researchers claim they can confirm the location, thanks to the biological evidence the horses left behind.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwen Stefani in The Aviator (2004).

13 Surprising Facts About The Aviator

'The Aviator'—the second collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio—was the long-awaited (and, according to some, unfilmable) biopic of the enigmatic Howard Hughes.

A view of Green-Wood Cemetery circa 1870s, Green-Wood Instagram

8 Unusual Deaths From the Victorian Era

You don't see "indiscreet use of laudanum" on death certificates much anymore.

1868 Map Shows That Beavers Truly Are Nature’s Best Builders

About 150 years ago, Lewis Henry Morgan mapped 64 beaver dams in Northern Michigan, many of which are still discernible today.

By NASA/Robert Markowitz via Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

8 Remarkable Sets of Identical Twins

These duos take it to a whole new level.

EasternLightcraft/iStock via Getty Images

7 Everyday Phrases That Have Been Rephrased

Did you know it used to be cloud seven instead of cloud nine? Here are six other everyday phrases that used to be very different.

Mass Grave From War of 1812 Reveals First Evidence of Buckshot Wounds

The researchers used "proxy buttocks" made of pig parts to test the musket fire.

The Original Telephone: The Bizarre Musical Language of Jean-François Sudre

Before Bell, Grey, Reis, Bourseul, and Edison, there was a little-known French musician and inventor named Jean-François Sudre.

Meghan Roberts via Wikimedia // CC BY 2.0

6 Unexpected Island Namesakes

Forget explorers, saints, or officials: These islands were named after more unusual people.

15 Famous Coffee Fiends

From carefully-counting beans to drinking gallons each day, these famous coffee drinkers are on a must-have basis with java.

25 Things You Should Know About San Antonio

Mark Twain once called San Antonio one of only four unique cities in the United States.

25 Things You Should Know About Portland, Maine

1. Portland, Oregon, was named after its East Coast counterpart—because a Maine native won a coin toss.

When a Congressman Asked the FTC to Fact Check The New York Times' Slogan

Is "All the News That's Fit to Print" false advertising?

8 Hot-N-Ready Facts About Little Caesars

Find out more about the pizza chain with the famous two-for-one deal and a Julius Caesar lookalike for a mascot.

Web Museum, Paris, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

This Pool-Shaped Sculpture Pays Homage to Van Gogh's Missing Ear

The quirky artwork sits in front of Rockefeller Center, and officially opens to the public on April 13.

CHLOE EFFRON // WIKIMEDIA COMMONS (OVID), UNICODE (BACKGROUND)

11 Tips From Ovid for How to Get Over a Breakup

Distract yourself, meet new people, and don't eat any onions.

You Can Buy an Italian Castle—and Part of Its Adjoining Town—for $8.3 Million

The medieval estate was once owned by princes and popes. Now, it can be yours.

A Brief History of the Devil's Tritone

Music is a powerful thing: It can raise our spirits, carry us through athletic challenges, and make us weep. Its very fabric is a source of power and intrigue, too, since just a measly few tones might do anything from shatter glass to manifest the Devil’s

DiBgd, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

A 'Siberian Unicorn' Roamed the Earth Until 29,000 Years Ago, Scientists Say

The ancient mammal was as big as a wooly mammoth with a giant horn protruding from its forehead.

25 Things You Should Know About Salt Lake City

It's where your undecipherable handwriting is interpreted and where your rubber chickens are made.

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